Across
- 1. ancient trade network connecting East Asia and the Mediterranean, famous for spices, textiles, and cultural exchange
- 3. iconic tree and national symbol of Lebanon
- 5. 12th-century sultan of Egypt and Syria, known for uniting Muslim forces during the Crusades
- 7. new Slack channel launched to build a community for those interested in books and literature written by Arab authors, in Arabic, or about Arab history and culture
- 10. desert valley or dry riverbed, common in the Middle East
- 11. flower or blossom in Arabic, also a common female name
- 12. salt lake in the Middle East, famous for extreme salinity and floating
Down
- 2. narrow stretch of water in the Middle East, linking the Gulf of Aqaba to Egypt
- 4. prized bird in Arab culture, often trained for hunting in the desert
- 6. ancient Phoenician city in southern Lebanon, famous for ruins and trade
- 8. desert scarf often red-and-white, shielding travelers from sun and sand
- 9. optical illusion seen in deserts, appearing as water or distant objects